Apparatus for the electrolysis of salt solutions.



J. BILLITER.

APPARATUS FOR THE ELEGTROLYSIS OP SALT SOLUTIONS.

APPLIDATION FILED MAR. 30, 1912.

1 $154,497. Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

' 2 BHEBTS-SHEET 1.

@ZMm'a/Mo: l j 1 2 Sam W, (if/2 1M J. BILLITER. APPARATUS FOR THE ELEOTROLYSIS 0F SALT SOLUTIONS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR 30, 1912.

1 ,O54;,497, Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

fit. 3 9. 362

UNTTED STATES JEAN BILLITER, OF VIENNA, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

APPARATUS FOR THE ELECTROLYSIS OF SALT SOLUTIONS Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25. 1913.

Application filed March 30, 1912. Serial No. 687,524.

571,003 patented September $3, 11912, as No.

1,037,585, I have alreai'ly descril'icd cells in which cathodes havu'ig the shape of bars or strips and covered with gas screens or surrounded by tubes, are arramjed' beneath the anode in an ahnost horizontal pcsition. The liquid circulates almost. completely or to the greater part between the cathode bars in a direction essentially vertical to the cathodes.

It has been found as zuilvantageous, to vary the arrangement of the electrolyzing cell and. of the :alhodes (ltfStlllKftl in the application cited, in such a manner that it becomes possible to conduct the soda lye at least partly past the cathodes without any noxious lateral movements of the electrolyte in the electrolyzing chamber and disturbances in the stratification being caused thereby. This all'ords the advantage that the'lye flowing from the electrolyzing chamber has the same, com-entration in the neighborhood of the cathodes and that besides t-he possibly still contained hypoehl'orite or chlorate is reduced.-

The present invention further has the object of admitting of using impure salt, as provision is made for removing the mud produced.

Lastly the electrolyzer according to the present invention is of more practical shape, simplifying its construction and its use.

The accompanying drawings illustrate by Way of example several constructional forms of the invention.

Figure 1. shows a vertical section through an clectrolyzing cell according to my invention. Fig. 52 is a similar section through a modified form of the cell. Figs. 342 are vertical and longitudinal sections through ditterent forms of the cathode as employed with my invention. Fig. 3 showing a cathode having a T-shape section. Fig. i a cathode having an angle-shape section, Fig. 5 a oath ode consisting of two angle irons separated r by an intermediate member and shows perforations in the under side of the "screen;

Fig. i; is a cathode similar to Fig. 5, the intermediate member extending not so far downward, Fig. 6 is a sectional view of Fig. (5, Fig. 7 is a modified form of Fig. 5, the membrane being completely closed; Fig. 7 is a section through Fig. 7 Fig. 8 shows a cathode similar to Fig. 6 having a slab of insulating material under the irons. In Fig. 9the insulating strip is arranged above the cathode. In Fig. 10 the insulating strip has a wedge-shaped form, Fig. 10" is a sectional view through Fig. 10; Fig. 11 shows an arrangement with an insulating strip consisting of two wedge-shaped parts and Fig. 12 is a section through a flat cathode consisting of two parts, the one being screwed into the other.

The bath is preferably divided by means of a partition Z, which does not extend quite down to the bottom, into the cell chamber proper E and a side chamber S (Fig. l). The horizontally ar 'anged anodes A are suspended in cell chamber E, and G- represents the inlet to said chamber for the salt solution. The cathodes of which there is a plurality having the shape of strips are carried through the space beneath this partition. It is of advantage to till up the space between the cathodes and the under edge of the partition with asbestos wool, sand or the like and thereby obtain a tight joint between thc side chamber S and the cell chamber proper.

For facilitating the fitting of the cathodes, and obviating the necessity of rcmov ing the partition each time, they are preferably made in two sections, one horizontal section K, the end of which is passed beneath the partition Z and a vertical section II, which is then screwed in the side chamber S from above into the ends oi K and serves for supplying the current. Or the cathodes K are made to terminate .in a flexible piece of sheet iron (for example a piece of band iron riveted on) J (Fig. 2), which forms the lead for the current. The cathodes are then easily introduced through the slit.

According to the present invention the osmotic membrane m, with which the cathodes are covered or enveloped is given a steep incline on both sides. It is already known to employ with cathodes which have not the form of strips, slightly inclined planes as gas screens covering the cathodes, this will, however, not prevent the gases generated from forming large gas cushions above the cathodes. Besides the mud precipitating on the membranes, will remain lying on the latter. Vith the subject of the resent invent-ion on the contrary the mem rane is made of so steep an incline and of a gable-roof shape, so that the hydrogen will crowd in the much reduced space above the strip-shaped cathode, so that the greater part of" the membrane is in contact with the liquid and not with hydrogen gas; at the same time the mud, which. would otherwise precipitate-on the membranes, must slip off in consequence of the steep incline of the sides.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4: preferably in-,.

vertcd' T-irons or angle irons areemployed for making the cathodes K, and asbestos board, asbestos fabric or the like for the gas screen. The gas screens may be either completely closed tubes or tubes which are open on their underside (Fig. 5), as indicated at 0. The mud which deposits on the membrane will then. inconsequence of the inclined sides, slide down freely and will be removed from the cell together with the solution.

The gases generated during the electrolysis, will collect at the top and in consequence of the section of: the gas screens tapering upward they cannot severely constrict or even cut oil the lines of current. Nevertheless it is advisable to. facilitate the escape or the electrolytically generated hydrogen by giving the ridge-line of the cathode apices a slight rise toward the side at which the hydrogen is to escape. For obtaining this object, without the distance between the cathodes and the anodes being reduced at this side, and it being necessary to incline the anode or the cathode, it is preferable to give the membrane only the necessary rise, while the cathode remain-s horizontal. This can be preferably obtained by the cathodes being made, as shown in Fig. 6, of two angle irons separated by an intermediate member 9", the upper edge of which, as may be seen in Fig. '6 has the necessary incline. It will also be of advantage to extendthe intermediate member r in a downward direction as shown in Figs. 7

' and 7*, whereby a space is obtained beneath the cathode and'within the membrane, in which space the cathode lye can collect. If this space is madeto communicate with the space above the horizontal parts of the angleiron, for example by holes (0v in- Fig. 2) or by recesses in the horizontal parts of the angle iron, the bubbles of hydrogen rising within the membrane will produce a circulation within the membrane,"by-which the escape of the hydrogen will be promoted on the one hand, while on the othen'a perfect compensation of the. concentration within the membrane will be obtained What will be found to be of great advantage. This circulation can at the same time be utilized for obtaining a compensation of concentration between the lye in thetubes and the lye in the side chamber, if both the upper spaces and the lower spaces of the cathode constructed for example accordingtoFig. 7 are made to communicate with the side chamber (see Fig. 2). The intermediate [members 1' are preferably made of insulating materials such as glass, Cement, slate, porcelain and the like. It a. slab of insulat ing material is provided, according to Fig. 8, also under the cathode, the gas screen may also be made of fine-meshed wire-netting.

For preventing the tubes, which surround the cathodes, from being bulged out or moved by the gas bubbles passing along them (whereby the stratification of the electrolyte may be impaired) the tubes must be suitably reinforced.

This is obtained in the most simple manner by giving the tubes suitable stiii ness. This may be obtained a suflicient manner in tightening the mem brane of which the tubes are compo xii.

This tightening may be done in any suit manner, .it will be best and simplest to the insulating strip 1" (Figs. 10 and 19) axwedgc shape and to insert it into the tube.

Two wedges may also be employed simuttaneo-usly which are .then introduced in onposite directions, so that even when the tight ,ened tube is equally, wide at both ends, it.

will nevertheless be uniformly taut all over, as shown in Fig. 11.

The circulation of the lye (by its being conducted along the cathode surfaces) may be insured in diiferent ways: so, for examposed of tubes will act as extremely'permeable diaphragms. If, on the contrary, the cathodes are covered with permeable or impermeable gas screens open below (Fig. 5)

the solution will flow below the cathode into" i the side chamber. As these gas screens are" open below, but closed at the sides, as de? scribed, any lateral displacement at the cathodes cannot be communicated 'tothe con tents of the cell and therefore affect the (stratification. Both when open gutters and when closed tubes are used the coarse particles of the magnesia or lime mud will sink down to the bottom through the spaces between the cathode bars and may there be removed from time to time through a door in the bottom, for examp1eT, atB 'o-r C (respec; tively B in Fig. 2). By this means clear cathode lyes will be obtained the concentration of which will be about the same as at the cathodes WVith this kind of circulation (by use of closed tubes as a gas screen) there is indeed the danger, that the fine portions of the mud will settle in the pores of these tubes surrounding the cathodes, choke them and thus prevent the circulation. This danger does not exist and the mud will run ofi' more easily when the cathodes are covered by inverted gutters. In this case indeed thefluctuations of the liquid level caused in the side chamber S will more easily be communicated to the contents of the cell. However, with this kind of circulation the mud may then be drawn from the cell together with the cathode lye without the level fluctuations being communicated to the interior of the cell, by he cathode being surrounded by tubes perforated in their lower portions at certain points only.

If cathodes are employed with which the rising hydrogen bubbles produce a circula' tion of the lye in the cathode tubes, this cir culation will on ,the one side suck solution through the holes on the underside of the cathodes and convey it into the side chamber, from where it may be drawn ofi; on the other side solution is forced out of the tube in a downward direction. Also in this case the circulation will be snch, that the solution is first conducted downward between the cathodes in a direction essentially vertical to the cathodes, but not quite down to the bottom of the cell. Shortly beneath the cathodes or the gas screens it will on the contrary be drawn through the openings in the catlr ode tubes or the gutters upward into the gut-- ters and then to the side, without being able to impair the stratiticaticm. Indeed, with all the circulations hitherto described only a part of the mud deposited removed from the cell, another part will 't'all through the space between the electrodes to the bottom and remain in the cell. It. is therefore much better to let the. solution flow exclusively or to the greater part through the spaces be tween the cathodes vertically downward but to besides conduct them through a tube l into the side chamber 5% before it is drawn from the latter asshown in Fig. l. This affords the advantage that the lye drawn oil has the same concentration as the lye in the cathode tubes; then that the lye is again conducted past the (mthodes the trace of hypochlorite, still contained, being easily reduced at the cathode, and. lastly that the mud is removed from the cell, which sinks down between the cathodes. The membranes will then not act. as diaphragms and can therefore not be choked by the mud. With [his kind of circulation it is advisable to surround only the horizontal part of the cath odes with the tubes or to let. the tubes terminute at least shortly above the horizontal part. Then it will be possible for thc-electrolyte to flow from the side chamber S into the cathode tubes and emerge again at the top with the hydrogen bubbles, so that the solution circulates in a single tube only. This is particularly advantageous when the tubes are closed below, as the concentration of the caustic soda in the tube will rise a little higher than in S and the hydrogen bubbles are more easilycarried 011' (Fig. 2). A modification of this circulation is shown in Fig. 2. The Cll'ClllllllOll will here occur in the same manner as described in the patent application Serial Number 571,003, only the outlet pipe V communicates by means of one or several passages U with the side chamber S. The concentration in the outlet pipe V and the side chamber S are compensated by these communicating passages.

When the chlorin gas. or hydrogen gas generated is sucked oil' in an irregular manner, or when the atmospheric pressure varies greatly in stormy weather) it may occur, that in the apparatus constructed on the bell principle the electrolyte beginsto oscillate between the cell chamber E and the side chamber S, in consequence of the fluctuations of the pressure in the gas chamber, the level of the electrolyte alternately rising in E and simultaneously falling in t5 and vice versa. in order to avoid such fluctuations of the level which would ailect the stratification dampers are arranged between the chamber E and the chamber S, which will damp such oscillations. This is done in the most simple manner for instance by the ctnnmunicating passage U between E and S being closed by means of a plate which does not tit quite tightly and which may have also perforations, or also by means of a screen, a net or the like, so that nevertheless the concentra lion between S and U and between S and T will be compensated. Preferably this damper is made adjustable, for example by this plate I being made movable and ad justable by a wire 1) so that the width of the cmnmunicating passages between S and U can bcregulatcd or temporarily varied at will. Such dan'ipers may also just as well be arranged in the passages U or V or also in the tunnel or trough shaped bottom 'l. of the cell chamber E. In case of requirement such dampers may also be arranged where the cathode tubes enter into the side chamber in. This all'ords the advantage. that simul taneously also the escape of the hydrogen can be so regulated, that this gas will not escape intermittently but uniformly and continuously then neither any noxious move-- ments of the membrane can be caused by the above described oscillations ol the liquid. -lhe reference letters M and designate the cocks.

it is of particular advantage to arrange such dampers close to where the gas screens cuter into the side chamber S, when these screens are entirely or partly 'open at their underside, as hereby the velocity. with which for the lye connected to serving as gas screens, said tubes surroundthe gas escapes from the gas screens, is regulated so that it does not escape by pushes.

ber, horizontally arranged anodes and horizontal cathodes having the shape of strips beneath said anodes, an inlet for the salt solution to the electrolyzing-chamber, an outlet for the lye from the electrolyzing hambcr beneath the cathode through the bottom of the electrolyzing chamber, and acirculating passage between the electrolyz ing chamber and the side chamber, consisting of a passage which leads from the opening in the bottom of the electrolyzing chamher into the side chamber and an outlet pipe said passage.

2. An apparatus for the electrolysis of salt solutions comprising a vessel having an electrolyzing chamber and aside chamber, horizontally arranged anodes and cathodes having the shape of strips beneath said anodes, an inlet for the salt solution to the electrolyziiig chamber, an outlet for the lye from the electrolyzing chamber beneath the cathode through the bottom of the electrolyzing chamber, and a circulating passage between the electrolyzing chamber and ,the side chamber, tubes serving as gas screens, inclosing the cathodes and opening into the side chamber, and circulating apertures between the interior of said tubes and the. side chamber.

An apparatus for the electrolysis .of salt solutions comprising a vessel having an electnolyzing chamber and a side chamber, horizontally arranged anodes and horizontal cathodes having the shape of strips beneath said anodes, an inlet for the salt so-- lution to the electrolyzing chamber, an outletfor the lye from the electrolyzing chamber beneath the cathode through the bottom of the electrolyzing chamber, and a circulating passage between the electrolyz ing chamber and the side chamber, closed tubes leading 1nto-the side chamber and ing the cathodes on all sides,'but having in their underside circulation holes,

4, An apparatus for the electrolysis of salt solutions comprising a vessel having an electrolyzing chamber and a side chamber,

lur-rizcntally arranged anodes'and horizon- I salt solutionscomprising a vessel having an tal cathodes having the shape of strips be neath said anodes, an inlet for the salt solutiin to the electrolyzing chamber. an out let for the l ye from the electrolyzingIchanibcr beneath the cathode through the-bot,-

- icniol' the'olcctrolyzing chamber. and a circulating passage between'the electrolyzber, horizontally zontal cathodes having the shape of strips Lessee? ing chamber. and the side chamber, gas screens leading into the side chamber and surrounding the cathodes, their sideshaving a steep incline.

5. An apparatus for the electrolysis, of salt solutions comprising a vessel having an electrolyzing chamber and a side chamarranged anodes and horibeneath said anodes, an inlet for the salt solution to the electrolyzing chamber, an outlet for the lye from the electrolyzing chamber beneath the cathode through the bottom of the clectrolyzing chamber and a circulating passage between the electrolyzing' chamber and theside chamber, closed tubes leading into the side chamber and serving as gas screens, said tubes surrounding the. cathodes onall. sides, but having in their underside circulation holes to the side chamber and so arranged that the ridge line is slightly inclined to the horizontal line.

6. An apparatus for the electrolysis of salt solutions comprising a vessel having. an electrolyzing chamber, horizontally arranged anodes. cathodes having the shape ofstrips beneath said anodes and gas screens inclosing each cathode element, the'cathodes being rovided with bars made of insulating the upper ridge of which is material,

facilitate the escape of slightly inclined to the gas bubbles.

7. An apparatus for the electrolysis of a vessel having an salt solutions comprising horizontally areleetrolyzing chamber,

ranged anodes, cathodes having the shape of strips beneath said anodes and gas screens inc-losing each cathode element, the cathodes being provided with bars made of insulating material, the upper slightly inclined to facilitate the escape of the gas bubbles, above the cathode.

8. An apparatus for the electrolysis of salt solutions comprising a vessel having an electrolyzing chamber, horizontally arranged anodes, cathodes having the shape of strips beneath said anodes and gas screens inclosingeach cathode element, the

cathodes being provided with bars made of insulating material, the upper ridge of which is slightly inclined to facilitate the escape of the gas bubbles above the cathodes, the spaces within the membrane above and below the cathode communicating through holes, adapted to produce a.

the electrolyte within the screen.

9. An apparatus for the electrolysis of clec'trclyzing chamber, horizontally arranged anodes, cathodes having the shape of strips beneath said anodes and gas screens ridge of which is circulii'tion of slightly inclined to facilitate the escape of the gas bubbles, the bars being so arranged as to insulate the cathode from the screen.

10. An apparatus for the electrolysis of salt solutions, comprising a vessel having an electrolyzing chamber, horizontally. ar-

ranged anodes, cathodes having the shape of strips beneath said anodes and gas screens, completely inclosing each'cathode at the top and sides and consisting of ashestos-fabric. v r

11. An apparatus for the electrolysis of saltsolutions, comprising a vessel having an electrolyzing chamber, horizontally arranged anodes, cathodes having the shape of strips beneath said anodes and gas screens, completely inclosing each cathode at the top-and sides, said screens being tightened by means of inserted wedges.

12. An apparatus for the electrolysis of salt solutions, conuarising a. vessel having an electrolyzing chamber, horizontally arranged anodes, cathodes having the shape of strips beneath said anodes and gas screens, completely inclosing each cathode at, the to and sides, said cathodes being made of shaped irons in combination with nolrconductive materials for holding the screens.

13. An apparatus for the electrolysis of salt solutions, comprising a vessel having an electrolyzing chamber and a side chamlmr, horizontally arranged anodes and cathodes having the shape oil strips beneath said anodes, an inlet for the salt solution to the electrolyzing chamber, an outlet for the lye from the electrolyzing chamber beneath'the cathode through the bottom of the electrolyzing chamber. tubes serving as gas screens, incl'osing the cathodes, a circulating passage between the clectrolyzing chamber and the side chan'iber, and dampers in said circulating passage.

14. An apparatus for the electrolysis of salt solutions, comprising a vessel having an electrolyzingchamber and a side chamber, horizontally arranged anodes and cathodes having the shape of strips beneath said anodes, an inlet for the salt solution to the electrolyzing chamber, an o'utlct for the lye from the electrolyzing chamber beneath the cathodes through the bottom of the electrolyzing chamber, tubes serving as gas screens,

inclosing the cathodes and leading into the side chamber and forming a circulation passage for the lye, extending from the side chamber through the space beneath the cathode inclosed by said tube, through the having the shape of strips beneath 'said' anodes, an inlet for the salt. solution to the eleetrolyzing chamber, anvoutlet [or the lye from the eleetrolyzing chamber beneath the cathodes through the bottom of the electrolyzing chamber, tubes serving as gas screens, inclosing the cathodes and leading into the side chan'lber and forming a circulation paer sage tor the lye, extending from the side chamber through the space beneath the cathode incloscd by said tube, through the openings in the cathodes, into the space above the cathode inclosed by the tube and back into the side chamber, a circulating passage between the lower part of the electrolyzing chamber and the side chamber and a damper in said circulating passage.

16. An apparatus for the electrolysis of salt solutions, comprising a vessel having an electri'ilyzing chamber and a side chamber, horizontally arranged anodes and cathodes having the shape of strips beneath said anodes, an inlet: tor the salt solution to the electrolyzing chamber, an outlet for the lye lroni the electrolyzing chamber beneath the cathodes through the bottom of the electrolyzing chamber, tubes serving as gas screens, iuclosing the cathodes, a circulating passage between the electrolyzing chamber and the side chamber, and a damper in said circulating passage regulable at will from outside.

In testimony whereof I atiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JEAN BILLITER. Witnesses:

Anousr Foes-En. Ana MARIA Banana. 

